The movie industry was grappling on Friday with the deadly Colorado shooting at a midnight screening of “The Dark Knight Rises,” as one of the most anticipated films of the decade became enmeshed with a horrifying tragedy.

A New York City police officer stands outside a Times Square theater showing "The Dark Knight Rises" in New York July 20, 2012.

By:Jake CoyleThe Associated Press, Published on Fri Jul 20 2012

NEW YORK, N.Y. — The movie industry was grappling on Friday with the deadly Colorado shooting at a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises, as one of the most anticipated films of the decade became enmeshed with a horrifying tragedy.

The shooting, which killed 12 and left at least 50 injured in an Aurora, Colo., movie theatre, reverberated through Hollywood and upended carefully laid plans for the global release of The Dark Knight Rises. Warner Bros. quickly cancelled a premiere planned for Paris and cancelled press interviews in France.

“Warner Bros. and the filmmakers are deeply saddened to learn about this shocking incident,” read a statement from Warner Bros. “We extend our prayers and deepest sympathies to the victims, their loved ones and those affected by this tragedy.”

The studio was rushing to react to the tragedy. Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner Bros, said he had been up since 4 a.m. making calls.

“Everybody is very saddened by the event. We were obviously looking for a very happy occasion for us,” Fellman said. “It’s a difficult way to begin. We’re just more concerned now with the well-being of those that were injured, of course.”

The studio had no further comment on whether screenings might be cancelled, or precautions taken. Director Christopher Nolan and actor Christian Bale did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Warner Bros. did move to pull trailers for its upcoming movie Gangster Squad from showings of The Dark Knight Rises. The trailer of the film, which stars Sean Penn and Ryan Gosling in a ruthless war between ‘40s Los Angeles police and the mob, includes a scene of mobsters firing into a movie theatre from behind the screen.

A person familiar with what was shown at the Aurora theatre said the trailer did not play there. The person did not want to be identified because the person was not authorized to speak on the matter.

Cinemark Holdings, Inc., the chain that owns the theatre where the shooting happened, said it was working closely with local law enforcement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and loved ones, our employees, and the Aurora community,” the company said.

Movie theatres around the country continued Friday showings of the film as planned, though some were stepping up security. New York police commissioner Raymond Kelly said the city was providing an extra security in New York theatres playing The Dark Knight Rises “as a precaution against copycats and to raise the comfort levels among movie patrons.”

In the wake of the shooting, The Dark Knight Rises and the earlier Batman films, with their dark themes and emphasis on terrorism, were sure to be heavily scrutinized. The practice of midnight screenings for eagerly anticipated blockbusters, too, could come into question.

Kelly also said that the suspected gunman, James Holmes, had his hair painted red and identified himself to authorities saying he was the Joker. Colorado authorities would not confirm that information, but Aurora police Chief Dan Oates said he had spoken to Kelly, who is a former colleague.

Heath Ledger played the Joker in the previous Batman instalment, The Dark Knight, although his hair was coloured green. Ledger died in 2008 before the film was released from a toxic combination of prescription drugs.

The National Association of Theatre Owners issued a statement offering their “hearts and prayers” to the victims. The association said, “Guest safety is, and will continue to be a priority for theatre owners,” adding that the group would work closely with law enforcement and review security procedures.

“We share the shock and sadness of everyone in the motion picture community at the news of this terrible event,” said former Sen. Chris Dodd, chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America. “We extend our prayers and deepest sympathies to the victims, their loved ones and all those affected by this tragedy.”

The Dark Knight Rises had expectations of being one of the biggest weekend openings ever. Its midnight screenings earned $30.6 million, Warner Bros., said Friday. That’s the second-best midnight opening ever, behind $43.5 million for the Harry Potter finale. The Dark Knight earned a then-record $158.4 million in its first three days, including $18.5 million from midnight screenings.

The film played in roughly 3,700 theatres domestically in the midnight screenings, expanding to 4,404 cinemas nationwide Friday. Many showings on the weekend were sold out in advance.

Paul Dergarabedian, an analyst for Hollywood.com who specializes in box office, declined to speculate on an effect the tragedy might have on the film over the weekend. But some moviegoers were already rethinking their plans.

Christine Cooley, who works for the University of Florida at a campus facility near Tampa, Fla., said she and her 15-year-old daughter were stunned by the TV coverage of the shooting Friday morning.

“Her immediate reaction was ‘I’m never going to the movie theatre again. Why should I go somewhere where I’m looking over my shoulder worrying that someone is going to come in and harm us when I can wait six months and watch it in the safety of my own home?’”

Cooley said she tried to explain to her daughter that it was an isolated incident, “but I see where she’s coming from. Why put yourself in harm’s way.”

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